School employee tax credit (Bill 48-26)

Action in Montgomery parent speaking in Spanish (with translation), supported extending the tax credit to all school workers, including bus drivers, food service and custodial staff.

Mother of four MCPS students, speaking in Spanish (with translation), supported the bill, emphasizing the behind-the-scenes workers who keep schools running.

Board of Education vice president testified in strong support, noting more than 60,700 SEIU and MCEA-represented employees live outside the county and housing costs are driving the problem.

MCEA president urged support, calling the bill fundamentally about equity — extending to a mostly female profession a credit already given to first responders.

SEIU 500 representative urged passage on behalf of 23,000 workers, citing the council's own staff report that too many school employees can't afford homes in the county.

An MCPS administrative secretary and homeowner spoke movingly about needing a two-income household just to cover basics and asked the council to give school workers 'breathing room.'

Former Interfaith Works board president, a retired Rockville High principal, supported the bill, citing bus drivers commuting from West Virginia and teacher turnover costs.